ChapterThree
462 Words
CHAPTER THREE
Strip Bar and Lounge, Los Angeles
Emily’s POV
I slowly opened my eyes, still leaning against the door frame. The cool air helped, but I still felt a little dizzy.
That’s when I saw him.
Tall. Dark. Way too good-looking to be real.
He stood just a few feet in front of me, like he had been watching me, or waiting.
At first, I thought maybe I was imagining him. I blinked a few times just to be sure.
Opened my eyes, Nope. Still there.
His suit looked expensive, like the kind you only see in movies. And those eyes, piercing blue. They were staring straight at me. No smile, no hello. Just staring.
I suddenly felt, exposed. My dress felt too short, my face too flushed, my hair probably a mess.
“Uh… sorry,” I muttered, not even sure why I was apologizing. I tried to step aside and walk past him.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
His voice was deep, Calm. The kind of voice that made you want to stop and listen.
I paused.
Was I okay? Not really. My legs were wobbly, my stomach was doing flips, and a gorgeous stranger was looking at me like I’d just dropped from the sky.
“I’m fine,” I said quickly, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Just needed some air.”
He didn’t move. He just kept watching me with this unreadable expression, like he was trying to figure me out. Like I was a puzzle.
I didn’t like it. Or maybe, I liked it too much.
“Well, thanks,” I said awkwardly, trying to walk past him again.
“Wait,” he said, stepping slightly to the side, blocking me just a little. Not in a creepy way, but confident way.
“You sure you’re okay? You looked like you were about to fall back there.”
So he had been watching.
My face turned red. Great!
“I tripped. Just a small one. Nothing serious,” I said, trying to laugh it off.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it.
“First time here?” he asked.
I sighed. “Is it that obvious?”
“Very.”
There was a pause. The kind of silence that hangs heavy, but in a weirdly exciting way.
“Look, I should probably get back to my friends,” I said, even though my legs weren’t moving.
He nodded slowly, still watching me like I was the most interesting thing he had seen.
“Maybe I’ll see you around,” he said, finally stepping aside.
I didn’t say anything. I just walked away, heart pounding in my chest like I’d just run a marathon.
I didn’t even make it to the restroom.
- Writer
